Outstanding Leadership in Science Education Award (OLISE)

This prestigious award recognizes and honors an NSELA member, who through their professional work, has demonstrated outstanding leadership in science education at the school, district, county, regional, and/or national level.

The award is presented at the NSELA breakfast, held during the annual NSTA National Conference. The award is accompanied by a check for $1,000 and a plaque donated by Pearson.

Eligibility

Only current NSELA members are eligible to be nominated for this award. The applicant must be nominated by a current NSELA member. Leaders at the K-12 level, college or university faculty, and science education consultants may apply. Applicants must demonstrate leadership that impacts K-12 students and science teachers. Current NSELA Board members are not eligible during their term of office.

Award Selection Criteria

Outstanding contributions and/or accomplishments in leadership for science education are the main selection criteria. These may include:

effective leadership of a significant organization, committee or group significantly involved in science education reform or improvement;

significant contributions in research on science education leadership that supports or suggests more effective leadership strategies and/or models;

a series of substantial contributions to science education leadership;

significant contributions over a long period of time; and/or

overall high quality level of contributions over time

Submission Requirements

The nominator should submit a letter limited to no more than two pages briefly describing the nominee and his/her qualifications for this award. Nominator information needs to include name, position/title, email, work and home phone numbers, and work and home addresses. The nominator also needs to state how he/she is professionally knowledgeable about the nominee's qualifications.

The nominator should inform the nominee that it is the nominee's responsibility to assemble an application packet that includes the following items.

The nominator's letter that summarizes the nominee's qualifications for this award.

A curriculum vita or résumé (not more than 3 pages) that directly or indirectly supports the award selection criteria. The vita should include: name, position/title, email, work and home phone numbers, work and home addresses. The vita should document the candidate's educational record of earned degrees, dates and field of study plus any additional education that enhances their science leadership record; any professional memberships and positions in/contributions to those organizations; special awards or other forms of professional recognition; presentations related to science education; safety planning and implementation; publications related to science education (optional); and any prior work experience that demonstrates exemplary leadership in science education.

Evidence of leadership in science education that is no more than three pages in length that provides specific examples of leadership philosophy and major accomplishments. This may include work at previous positions that demonstrates exemplary science education leadership. Please refer to the above Award Selection Criteria in preparing this section.

Three (3) letters of recommendation that substantiate the nominee's exemplary science education leadership accomplishments with specific examples. One letter of support must be from a superintendent or immediate supervisor and one letter from a subordinate unless the nominee is a science education consultant.

Name, address, and website of nominee's local newspaper.

The complete application packet is to be submitted online uploaded as PDF files. All submitted items become the property of NSELA and will not be returned. Any late or faxed materials will not be accepted.

Submission Deadline

All award application materials including the letters of recommendation must be received online by the NSELA Awards Committee chairperson, Nancy Kellogg.